Pet trade

Study and conservation of the Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) in Caucasus

This project is focused on a consolidation of efforts of herpetologists, official organisations for nature conservation, and the general public for the conservation of the Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca), which is included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals, Red Data Book of Russian Federation, and CITES (App. II).

Securing the future of Hermann tortoise in SW Romania

In the project will be carried out conservation activities like: assessing the conservation status; establishment of a sustainable system for reintroduction of the individuals accidentally found outside their habitat (abandoned individuals), who might not resist outside the area (SW-Romania); designing a website for species determination and the procedures to follow, in order to discourage the abandon and to avoid species confusions and an extensive educational campaign.

Promoting conservation and wise use of wildlife traded in southern Moroccan marketplaces (Morocco)

A Rufford Small Grant for Nature Conservation is supporting our continued research and a public information campaign for collectors, vendors and consumers of wildlife.

The Hermann tortoises – preserving the flagship specie for south-west Romania/Romania

The project aim is to improve the institutional level of protection and to raise population awareness on Testudo hermanni boettgeri importance.

Conservation of the Mediterranean Tortoise, (Testudo graeca nikolskii) on the Black Sea Coast of the Caucasus, Russian Federation: Evaluation, Education, and Population Augmentation

This project aims to prevent the critically-threatened Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise from further population decline, by targeting tourist collectors and hunters with a PR campaign, setting up a breeding centre and securing new protected natural territories.

WIN/Aytas Wildlife Conservation Initiative

This project focuses on the terrible toll the wildlife pet trade takes on species, individual animals, and their habitat. We are providing community education, and alternative livelihood opportunities for the local indigenous people, who are a major source for these animals.